Yaya Toure picked up a pair of goals off the fingertips of Swansea goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski, and the latter proved the difference as Swansea fought back from 2-0 down only to fall with 15 minutes to go. Joe Hart showed his counterpart how its done with a pair of brilliant saves in the final 10 minutes to preserve the scoreline.
Swansea began the game clearly the more dangerous side. The in-form Bafetimbi Gomis worked an early chance well in the third minute, taking on Manchester City’s central defending pair, but after a nice bit of ball skills his shot was weak and well held by Joe Hart.
Jefferson Montero was electric down the left, carving up Pablo Zabaleta early on. Nathan Dyer had a glistening chance in the 17th minute after getting by Eliaquim Mangala, but Hart made a great save on his shot to the far post to foreshadow what would come late.
[ RELATED: Watch full match replays ]
Suddenly, City were in the lead despite looking second-best through the opening 20 minutes. David Silva worked the ball to Yaya Toure at the top of the box, and the big Ivorian ripped a shot to the near post. The ball took an ever-so-slight deflection off Ashley Williams, and that was enough to leave Lukas Fabianski in a heap, unable to make a full stop. Lampard came close to doubling the lead minutes later but the cross from Aleksandar Kolarov was just out of reach.
[ RELATED: Latest Premier League standings ]
But the visitors weren’t done. With the lead, they became the more cutting-edge team and earned another goal past the half-hour mark. A blistering counter-attack worked the ball to Sergio Aguero on the left side who carved up Jazz Richards before sliding in James Milner. The England international took a touch to the inside and slotted the ball home to the far post with ease for a 2-0 Manchester City lead.
But Swansea would not go quietly. Just before halftime they’d make it a goal again. Gylfi Sigurdsson made it 2-1 with a bending finish, justifying some impressive work from Montero.
That man Montero remained a force in the second half as well as Swansea pushed for an equalizer. Manchester City also had big chances just past the half-hour mark, but Fabianski saved a fantastic chance from Jesus Navas. That miss would prove vital. Seconds later down the other end, Gomis would get his leveler. He timed a run perfectly for a long ball from Richards and rocketed home his fifth goal in his last five matches to make it 2-2.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Just after, Fabianski made another outstanding save when Milner played in Silva, but the Spaniard couldn’t get a shot off despite being free on goal. But the goalkeeper would see another Toure shot off his fingertips with 15 minutes to go as the difference. The Manchester City captain burst through the midfield past Jack Cork and ripped a shot to the near post, and the Swansea goalkeeper only got a slight touch as it rippled the net.
Joe Hart was still required to keep the visitors on top, as he made a brilliant diving save on a delicious header from Federico Fernandez destined for the top corner with 8 minutes to go. He did it again two minutes later with Gomis through on goal. Former Swansea star Wilfried Bony came on late and got a goal to seal it, with a muted celebration against his former club.
The winners go six clear of Arsenal in second place, and thanks to a vastly superior goal difference have all but clinched that spot. It would be mathematically secure should Arsenal drop points against Manchester United later today. Swansea looked impressive but still remain in eighth place, stuck there now as their final position.
LINEUPS:
Swansea City: Fabianski, Richards, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Cork, Shelvey (Britton 78'), Dyer (Barrow 73'), Sigurdsson (Emnes 83'), Montero, Gomis.
Goals: Sigurdsson 45', Gomis 64'
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho (Kompany 80'), Milner, Toure (Bony 85'), Lampard (Navas 59'), Silva, Aguero.
Goals: Toure 21', 74'; Milner 36', Bony 90+1'